Pakistan-based terror groups like the al-Qaeda, lashkar-e-Tayyeba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are not only operating from that country and exclusively targeting India with their nefarious designs but have also created third country bases in the neighbourhood to export terrorism — both locally and globally.
Apparently, taking a cue from the concept of “String of Pearls” — a Chinese encirclement policy aimed at limiting Indian influence in the Indian Ocean Region — the Pakistani terror groups have created significant bases and terror training infrastructure in countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Pakistan plays a vital role in not only “String of Pearls” plans of China but also in exporting terrorism in the region and beyond. On the one hand Islamabad is facilitating China with development and management of facilities such as Gwadar port, oil and gas pipelines and huge investment opportunities through China Pakistan Economic Corridor, at the same time, Pakistan continues to be hub of several individuals designated as terrorists by International organisations including leT mastermind Hafiz Sayeed, JeM boss Moulana Masood Azhar and AQIS chief Moulana Asim Umar among others.
In Bangladesh, these terror groups have not only managed to create their bases but are also actively engaged in injecting terror modules into India from Indo-Bangla border. This besides, these terror groups have been also provoking hardliners in Bangladesh to work towards establishment of Shariya by overthrowing the existing democratic model of governance.
Within just two months of the idea of String of Pearls being floated by Booz Allen Hamilton, the leT asked its members and affiliates such HuJI (B) to create a new outfit Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). In 2005 itself, the JMB registered its presence there by executing bombings on cultural events in Sherpur, Jamalpur, Bogra and Natore leaving 35 dead and 70 people injured.
Since then, leT has been strengthening its support in the Chittagong region where 50 cases have been registered in the area till so far this year.
“This clearly indicates terror groups have been constantly making efforts to make Chittagong a significant operational base against India for almost a decade now,” an Intelligence official said.
In Myanmar, the leT picked up the cause of Rohingya Muslims in its bid to facilitate anti-India operations in the Northeast from that country. leT has not only expressed its moral support but has also established a fund for assisting Rohingya Muslims to wage jehad.
Saeed’s speeches suggest the leT has clear designs of using Myanmar as a base and Rohingyas as operators against India.
The leT started exploring possibilities of expanding its anti-India designs in the Muslim island nation of Maldives few months after the theory of “String of pearls” was introduced in the form of Tsunami assistance for Maldivians.
leT’s activities are not only confined to rendering cash to propagate anti India sentiments but has also floated Islamist outfits like Islamic Foundation of Maldives and Jamatul Baayan among others, the official said.
Since 2005, a number of Maldivians have been arrested not only in the island nation but also in Sri lanka, Yemen, Paksitan and Syria for executing terror attacks or participating in terror training.
likewise, in Sri lanka, leT’s Moulana Ameer Hamza was sent way back in 2005 to cultivate individuals inclined towards terror. leT started running one-man dispensary in Galle area and also facilitated youth outfits affiliated to SIMI.
In Indonesia, the leT under the disguise of Jamatud- Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniyat started its activities there to provide assistance to Tsunami-affected people but has since then developed a significant network there.
While maintaining its presence in Indonesia, the leT has also developed ideological and working relationship with several Indonesian groups such as Jemmah Ansharusy Syariah and others. The leT also maintains at least one camp of Rohingya Muslims in Indonesia.
“While the concept of “String of Pearls”, a Chinese encirclement policy meant to curb the Indian influence and Beijing’s expansionist policy in the region has there been on the landscape of the Indian strategic community for a long time and its full potential are yet to materialise, the Pakistan-based terror groups have picked up the concept in full measure to export terrorism — both locally and globally,” counter terrorism expert Dr Rituraj-Mate told The Pioneer.
The Pakistani terror groups have not only picked up the concept and established bases in countries in India’s neighbourhood like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri lanka, Maldives, Malaysia and Indonesia besides Pakistan but also managing several jehadi activities from these third country bases including training for the Islamists, Dr Mate said.
The design “String of pearls” is stated to be part of Chinese expansion plans in Indian subcontinent to surround India through all tactical means (Economic, Military, Diplomatic et al) at its disposal and cases of growing Chinese influence in neighbors such as Nepal and Sri lanka is often quoted by strategic think tanks in India, he further said adding, India has been employing strategy of engagement with all countries to contain enhancement of any such Chinese influence in the region.
The theory of String of Pearls was floated by a US consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton stating that China would invest heavily in Economic and military assets to enhance its influence in Pacific and Indian Ocean region starting from China up to Africa and try to develop maritime infrastructure in the region with an aim to own a chain of maritime assets all around India to dominate Indian influence in the Indian Ocean region along with enhanced naval capabilities and assets leading to reduction of Indian naval dominance at the choking points that are controlled by Indian Navy at the Juncture of Indian and Pacific oceans.